After winning the 1st set, Na took a 4-0 lead in the 2nd. But Maria won 10 of the next 11 games to win the 2nd set, and take a 4-1 lead in the third.
Although it was raining quite hard in the 3rd set, both players wished to continue playing. Na recovered to reach 6-6, then play was suspended due to the rain. When the players returned to the court, Maria had regrouped and won the tiebreaker.

Maria said: "I don't mind rain. Actually I like it... Today the court was wet and slippery when we came back, but the umpire told us it was our decision, and both of us wanted to keep going...
"This is a great win for me going into Roland Garros. I know the level [Na] played there last year, and the level she can play on clay—the way she defends and moves around and gets herself back into position—she's just a great player on any surface really. So this gives me a lot of confidence." WTA story - postmatch interview

Na said: "Obviously it's tough to rest for two hours and then play again, but I still have many positive things from this match. Playing a tough match like that showed me I'm strong, and physically I felt great. I can take a lot of positive things away from this week and I think I'm ready for the French Open.
"We both had our chances today, but in the end [Maria] was just better." postmatch interview

Maria now leads Na 7-4 in career matches.. Their most recent meeting was in March on a Laykold hardcourt in the quarterfinals at Key Biscayne (Miami), when Maria defeated Na 6-3, 6-0.

2004 Wimbledon, 2006 US Open, and 2008 Australian Open champion Maria is now 26-16 in WTA singles finals; she won last month at Stuttgart and last year at Rome and Cincinnati. Maria had a 43-14 singles match record last season; she is 29-5 in 2012, losing only to Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka (twice), Agnieszka Radwanska, and Angelique Kerber.

2011 French Open champion and Australian Open finalist Na is now 5-7 in WTA singles finals; she won at Sydney last year, at Birmingham in 2010, at Gold Coast in 2008, and at Guangzhou in 2004. Na had a 32-17 singles match record last year; she is 21-8 in 2012.

Angelique said: "It was very tough conditions because some of the court had shadows, some was sunny, and it was windy. And Anastasia played very well—I was just thinking to fight and play point by point, and I'm very happy I won.
"I love playing on red clay. I grew up on it. Last week the blue clay in Madrid wasn't so bad, I made the third round, but it's good to be back on red!"

n15 s13 Ana Ivanovic SRB d n28 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS 6-4, 6-3 Mon

Ana driving a forehand, and Svetlana and Ana driving backhands

High winds affected play. Ana said: "It was difficult at times, and the gusts of wind would come out of nowhere, but it was the same for both of us. I just tried to move and adjust to it, and look at the ball and move forward when I needed to."

Venus said: "I was really happy to finish in two sets. It was windy and there were shadows too, so it was kind of tough to see the ball sometimes, which was difficult. So I was happy I was able to finish the match well today."

Maria trailed 1-4 in the 1st set. Maria said: "It was really about adjusting today. I made too many unforced errors in the first part of the match and [Christina] was playing extremely consistently. Maybe I was trying to hit too many winners then. But I was fortunate enough to win that first set and get back into it in the second set. It was close. She has certainly improved since last time I played her."

Petra is now 4-0 against Aga. Petra said: "I like to play with [Agnieszka]. She plays really intelligently. I just played a great match today. I didn't make too many mistakes—she didn't do too many either. Maybe there were just some important moments I did better."

Agnieszka said: "Petra played very well today. She's a good player on a slow court. I couldn't finish a ball—she was running very well."

Petra said: "I have to say I was nervous before the match. I saw how [Anastasia] was playing in her last match, and also I lost the last time I played her, which wasn't a nice memory going into this one. It was tough for me at the beginning, but I'm happy I won, and I have things to improve on for the next match."

Caroline said: "I have some fever and sore throat, just not feeling great—that makes it even harder to play someone like Anabel on clay. I started feeling not great last night. I always get allergies when I come here. It's unfortunate. I'll just try to get some rest now and then get ready for the French Open."

*n27 Julia Goerges GER d n7 s7 Marion Bartoli FRA 6-3, 6-1 Wed

Julia driving a forehand

n8 s8 Na Li CHN d n50 Iveta Benesova CZE 6-1, 7-5 Wed

Na's forehand drive

n9 s9 Serena Williams USA d n31 Nadia Petrova RUS 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 Wed

Serena and Nadia driving forehand and backhand

Serena said: "When I lost the first set, I just thought, 'Stay in there and just don't give up, you'll have a chance.' I just didn't want to give up. I never do want to give up, nor have I ever wanted to give up. I wanted it today."

Ana held six set points in the 1st set, but could not convert one. Maria said: "I started the match off really slowly. It was really important for me to get back into that set. When [Ana] had the set points I think I was more consistent in those moments, and that paid off. Ultimately it helped me with my confidence later when she was up a break again in the second set."

n4 s4 Petra Kvitova CZE d n46 Sorana Cirstea ROU 6-2, 5-7, 6-2

Petra's backhand drive

Petra said: "Sorana made many mistakes and her shots were flying in the first set, but then she started to be more precise in the second set. I tried to come back in the second set, I was down 5-1 and got to 5-all, but she won it. But I started waiting for the right shots again in the third. I'm happy to win today."

*n72 wc Venus Williams USA d n5 s5 Samantha Stosur AUS 6-4, 6-3

Venus and Samantha driving forehand and backhand

Reaching the quarterfinals makes Rome Venus's best tourney since returning to play this year after being sidelined last September by Sjögren's Syndrome, which causes fatigue and joint pain.

Venus said: "Every match is a lesson and a challenge for me. I think that all wins are great wins nowadays. I've had to get used to a lot of things and I'm still figuring out a lot. I'm making adjustments at the beginning of every week."

n8 s8 Na Li CHN d n51 Chanelle Scheepers RSA 7-6(3), 6-2

Na said: "I have to say I'm happy with what I'm doing on court right now. Last year I was up and down, up and down. And again today I was up 5-2 and lost concentration for a while, but I'm glad I got it back for the tie-break."

Maria said: "I am very happy with the way I played today... Its good to see a player like [Venus] back and playing... she is experienced enough to know what she needs to come back." postmatch interview

Angelique driving a backhand, and Petra and Angelique driving forehands

n8 s8 Na Li CHN d n16 s14 Dominika Cibulkova SVK 6-1, 7-6(4)

Domi and Na driving forehand and backhand

About playing Serena Williams in the semifinals, Na said: "[Serena] has a huge serve, and is a good mover, and I am looking forward to play against her, not to lose or win, but as a challenge." postmatch interview

Flavia serving, Serena driving a backhand, and Flavia in pain from her wrist injury

Serena said: "I hope [Flavia] feels better soon... But of course it's always difficult to be injured. She was playing so well." WTA story

About playing Li Na in the semifinals, Serena said: "Li Na is the defending French Open champion, and she is a really good test to play against, because she is a good all-round player." postmatch interview

Maria said: "It was a tough match today, and I'm looking forward to another tough one tomorrow."

Angelique said: "Maria played very well today. I tried the best I could, but she was playing very well. She was the better player today."

About the final, Maria said: "I've had tough times against [Na]. I won the last time in Miami, but I had lost a couple in a row before that, and was happy to turn things around. Tomorrow is a new match—I hope to play like I did in Miami."

n8 s8 Na Li CHN d n9 s9 Serena Williams USA walkover—back injury

Serena said: "I had some problems with my lower back earlier in the week—it was feeling a little stiff, and I don't think it's the right moment to force it. It's just life. I've been playing a lot, and my body is just getting used to playing a lot of matches again, that's all."

Na said: "Of course I'm happy to be in the final, but I knew [Serena] was having some problems. It's very bad luck for her. I hope she can get healthy again in time for the French Open and come back to the court."

About the final, Na said: "Maria has been playing many matches on the clay, so she knows how to use it. I'm really looking forward to the final. It's going to be tough."